I PASS over the second degree of Masonry, the oath of which, in
substance, is similar to that in the first, and in this number
will consider the oath, or obligation of a Master Mason. I do not
notice the ridiculous manner in which the candidate for the
different degrees, is dressed and conducted into the lodge. The
scenes through which they pass, are most humiliating and
ridiculous, and cannot fail to be so regarded by all who will read
the books in which they are described. I quote from the eighth
edition of "Light on Masonry," by EIder David Bernard, published
by W. J. Shuey, Dayton, Ohio. The obligation of the Master's
degree will be found on the seventy-third and seventy-fourth pages
of this work, and is as follows: "I, A.B., of my own free will and
accord, in the presence of Almighty God, and this worshipful Lodge
of Master Masons, erected to God, and dedicated to the holy order
of St. John, do hereby and hereon, most solemnly and sincerely
promise and swear, in addition to my former obligations, that I
will not give the degree of Master Mason to any one of an inferior
degree, nor to any one in the known world, except it be to a true
and lawful brother or brethren Master Mason, or within the body of
a just and lawfully constituted lodge of such; and not unto him
nor unto them whom I shall hear so to be, but unto him and them
only whom I shall find so to be, after strict trial and due
examination, or lawful information received. Furthermore, do I
promise and swear, that I will not give the Master's word which I
shall hereafter receive neither in the lodge nor out of it, except
it be on the five points of fellowship, and then not above my
breath. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will not give
the grand hailing sign of distress, except I am in real distress,
or for the benefit of the craft when at work; or should I ever see
that sign given, or hear the word accompanying it and the person
who gave it, appearing to be in distress, I will fly to his relief
at the risk of my life, should there be a greater probability of
saving his life than of losing my own. Furthermore, do I promise
and swear, that I will not wrong this lodge, nor a brother of this
degree, to the value of one cent, knowingly, myself, nor suffer it
to be done by others, if in my power to prevent. Furthermore, do I
promise and swear, that I will not be at the initiating, passing,
and raising a candidate at one communication, without a regular
dispensation from the Grand Lodge for the same. Furthermore, do I
promise and swear, that I will not be at the initiating, passing,
or raising a candidate in a clandestine lodge, I knowing it to be
such. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will not be at
the initiating of an old man in dotage, a young man in nonage, an
atheist, irreligious libertine, idiot, madman, hermaphrodite, nor
woman. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will not speak
evil of a brother Master Mason, neither behind his back, nor
before his face, but will apprise him of all approaching danger if
in my power. Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will not
violate the chastity of a Master Mason's wife, mother, sister, or
daughter, I knowing them to be such, nor suffer it to be done by
others, if in my power to prevent it. Furthermore, do I promise
and swear, that I will support the constitution of the Grand Lodge
of the State of -------- , under which this lodge is held, and
conform to all the by-laws, rules and regulations of this, or any
other lodge, of which I may at any time hereafter become a member.
Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will obey all regular
signs, summons, or tokens, given, handed, sent, or thrown to me,
from the hand of another brother Master Mason, or from the body of
a just and lawfully constituted lodge of such, provided it be
within the length of my cable tow. Furthermore, do I promise and
swear, that a Master Mason's secrets, given to me in charge as
such, and I knowing them to be such, shall remain as secure and
inviolable in my breast as in his own, murder and treason
excepted, and they left to my own election. Furthermore, do I
promise and swear, that I will go on a Master Mason's errand
whenever required, even should I have to go barefoot and
bareheaded, if within the length of my cable tow. Furthermore, do
I promise and swear, that I will always remember a brother Master
Mason when on my knees, offering up my devotions to Almighty God.
Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will be aiding and
assisting all poor, indigent Master Masons, their wives and
orphans, wheresoever disposed around the globe, as far as in my
power without injuring myself or family materially. Furthermore,
do I promise and swear, that if any part of this solemn oath or
obligation be omitted at this time that I will hold myself
amenable thereto, whenever informed. To all which I do most
solemnly promise and swear, with a fixed and steady purpose of
mind in me, to keep and perform the same, binding myself under no
less penalty than to have my body severed in two in the midst, and
divided to the north and south, my bowels burnt to ashes in the
center and the ashes scattered before the four winds of heaven,
that there might not the least track or trace of remembrance
remain among men and Masons of so vile and perjured a wretch as I
should be, were I ever to prove willfully guilty of violating any
part of this my solemn oath or obligation of a Master Mason. So
help me God, and keep me steadfast in the due performance of the
same."

Upon this oath I remark:

1. The first sentence is both profane and false. The Master
instructs the kneeling candidate with his hand on God's Holy Word
to affirm, and the candidate does affirm that the lodge in which
he is kneeling is erected to God and dedicated to the holy order
of St. John. Remember this is said in and of every Master Masons'
lodge. But is this true? No, indeed, it is mere mockery. The words
are a mere profane form. Does not every Freemason know this?

2. This, and all the following oaths of Masonry, are
administered and taken as additions to all the previous oaths
which the candidate has taken. (See the oath.) All that is wicked
and profane in the former oaths is indorsed and reaffirmed in this
and in every succeeding oath. Thus Freemasons proceed to pile oath
upon oath in a manner most shocking and revolting. And is this a
Christian institution? Is this obedience to Him who has said
"swear not at all?"

3. The grand hailing sign of distress mentioned in this oath,
consists in raising both hands to heaven in the attitude of
supplication. The words accompanying this sign are, "0 Lord, my
God, is there no help for the widow's son?" The candidate is told
by the Master that this attitude was taken and these words were
used by Solomon when he was informed of the murder of Hiram Abiff.
Of this, "Light on Masonry" will give the reader full information.
This whole story of the murder of Hiram Abiff is a profane
falsehood, as I shall more fully show in another place. Hiram
Abiff was never murdered. Solomon never gave any such sign, or
uttered any such words. The whole story is false; both the grand
hailing sign of distress, and the accompanying words, are a
profane mockery, and an insult to God. But what is the thing
promised in this part of a Master Mason's oath? Observe, the
candidate swears. "should I ever see that sign given, or hear the
word accompanying it, and the person who gave it, appearing to be
in distress, I will fly to his relief at the risk of my life,
should there be a greater probability of saving his life than of
losing my own" Observe, it matters not what is the cause of the
distress in which a Master Mason may be--if he has committed a
crime, and is likely to be arrested, or has been arrested; if he
is imprisoned, or likely to be imprisoned; if he is on trial in a
court of justice and likely to be convicted, and a Master Mason is
on the bench as a judge, or on the jury, or called as a witness;
or is a Master Mason a sheriff and has the prisoner in custody; or
is he a constable, having charge of the jury to whom the case is
to be submitted; or is he a prosecuting attorney, appointed by the
government to prosecute him for his crime, and secure his
conviction--in any of these cases, the prisoner giving the grand
hailing sign of distress, binds, by a most solemn oath, the judge,
jurymen, sheriff, constable, witness, attorney, if a Master Mason,
to seek to release him, at the hazard of his life. All who are
acquainted with the practical results of this section of the
Master's oath, as they appeared in the investigations connected
with the murder of William Morgan, are aware that Master Masons
kept this oath inviolate, when efforts were made to convict the
kidnappers and murderers, insomuch that it was found impossible to
execute the laws. Cases are reported as having repeatedly occurred
in the administration of justice, where this hailing sign of
distress has prevailed to rescue the guilty from the hand of
justice. In another part of this oath, you will observe, the
candidate swears, that he will apprise a brother Master Mason of
approaching danger, if within his power. This binds a Master Mason
to give a criminal notice, if he understands that he is about to
be arrested. If the sheriff has a writ for the arrest of a brother
Master Mason, this oath lays him under an obligation not to arrest
him, but to give him notice, that if he does not keep out of the
way, he shall be obliged to arrest him. If the magistrate who
issued the writ is a Master Mason, his oath obliges him to give
the criminal Master Mason warning, so that he may evade the
execution of the writ. Reader, get and read the pamphlet published
by Judge Whitney, of Belvidere, Illinois. It can be had, I
believe, at the bookstores in this town. This pamphlet will give
you an account of the trial of Judge Whitney, who was Master of a
lodge, before the Grand Lodge of Illinois. It will show you how
completely this oath may prevail to obstruct the whole course of
justice, and render the execution of the law impossible. If a
Master Mason is suspected of a crime, and his case comes before a
justice of the peace who is a Master Mason, or before a grand jury
upon which there is a Master Mason, or before a court or petit
jury in which are Master Masons, if they keep inviolate their
oath, it is impossible to reach the execution of the law.
Furthermore, if there be Master Masons in the community, who hear
of the guilt and danger of a brother Master Mason, they are sworn
to give him warning. It is no doubt for this reason, that Masons
try to secure amongst themselves all the officers connected with
the administration of justice. At the time of the murder of
Morgan, it was found that to such an extent were these offices in
the hands of Freemasons that the courts were entirely impotent. I
quote the following from "Stearns' Letters on Freemasonry," page
127: "In speaking of the murder of William Morgan, of the justice
of it, and of the impossibility of punishing his murderers, a
justice of the peace in Middlebury, a sober, respectable man, and
a Mason, said, 'that a man had a right to pledge his life,' and
then observed: 'What can you do? What can a rat do with a lion?
Who are your judges? who are your sheriffs? and who will be your
jurymen?'" It is perfectly plain that if Freemasons mean anything
by this oath, as they have given frequent evidence that they do,
this obligation must be an effectual bar to the administration of
justice wherever Freemasons are numerous. No wonder, therefore,
that dishonest men among them are very anxious greatly to multiply
their numbers. In the days of William Morgan, they had so
multiplied their numbers that it was found impossible, and in
these days Freemasons have become so numerous, that in many places
it will be found impossible to execute the criminal laws. Even in
commercial transactions where Freemasons are parties to a suit, it
will be found impossible to secure the ends of justice. Let not
Freemasons complain of this assertion

4. You will observe that in this oath the candidate also
swears, that "a Master Mason's secrets, given to me in charge as
such," * * "shall remain as secure and inviolate in my breast as
in his own, murder and treason excepted, and they left to my own
election." Now, this section of the oath is very broad, and may be
understood to cover secrets of every description. But to put it
beyond all doubt whether crimes are to be kept secret, murder and
treason are excepted, showing that the oath has respect
particularly to concealing the crimes of a Master Mason. He may
commit Theft, Robbery, Arson, Adultery, Rape, or any crime
whatever, Murder and Treason excepted, and however well the
commission of these crimes may be known to a Master Mason, if a
Master Mason has committed them, he is under oath to conceal them.
Now, is this right? Is this consistent with duty, either to God or
man? Must not this often prove a fatal bar to the detection of
crime, and the administration of justice? Certainly it must, or
Freemasons must very frequently violate their solemn oath. If
Freemasons deny this, in the denial they maintain that Masons care
nothing for their oaths. It is self-evident that this Master's
oath is either a conspiracy against the execution of law, or
Master Masons care nothing for the solemnity of an oath.
Gentlemen, take which horn of the dilemma you please! If these
oaths are kept inviolate the course of justice must be effectually
obstructed. If they are not kept, Master Masons are guilty of
false swearing, and that continually. Which shall we believe to be
true? Do Master Masons continually treat this solemn oath with
contempt, or, do they respect their oaths, conceal the crimes of
Master Masons, and fly to their rescue if they are detected and
likely to be punished? Let not Master Masons, or any body else,
exclaim: "Oh! these oaths are very innocent things! Crimes will be
detected, criminals will be punished, for Masons care nothing for
their oaths." Indeed! And does this excuse them? It is only by
being guilty of false swearing that they can fail to thoroughly
obstruct the course of justice. They are certainly under the most
solemn oath to do that, in case of crime committed by a Master
Mason, which will effectually defeat the execution of law. Let it
be then particularly observed, that in every community where there
are Master Masons, they either compose a class of conspirators
against the administration of criminal law, and the execution of
justice; or, they are a class of false swearers who care nothing
for the solemnity of an oath. Let this not be regarded as a light
thing. It is a most serious and important matter, and that which I
have stated is neither false nor extravagant. It is a literal and
solemn truth. Let it be well pondered. There is the oath; read it
for yourself, mark its different points and promises, and you will
see there is no escape from these conclusions.

5. The candidate in this oath swears, "I will not wrong this
lodge, nor a brother of this degree to the value of one cent,
knowingly myself, nor suffer it to be done by others, if in my
power to prevent." Now observe, he makes this promise "under no
less penalty, than to have my body severed in two in the midst,
and divided to the north and south, my bowels burnt to ashes in
the center, and scattered before the four winds of heaven, that
there might not the least track or trace of remembrance remain
among men or Masons of so vile or perjured a wretch as I should
be, were I ever to prove willfully guilty of violating any part of
this my solemn oath or obligation as Master Mason. So help me God,
and keep me steadfast in the due performance of the same." Now,
observe, one part of this Master's obligation is that which I have
just quoted, that he will not wrong the lodge, nor a brother of
this degree to the value of one cent. For doing this, he solemnly
agrees to incur the awful penalty just above written. Is this
just, as between man and man? Has any man a right to take such an
oath under such penalties? Christian Freemason, can you see
nothing wrong in this? Is not this profane, abominable,
monstrous?

6. Observe, upon the same penalty, the candidate proceeds:
"Furthermore do I promise and swear, that I will not be at the
initiating, passing, and raising a candidate at one communication
without a regular dispensation from the Grand Lodge for the same."
Observe, then, to do this is so great a crime among Masons as to
incur this awful penalty. The candidate proceeds: "Furthermore do
I promise and swear, that I will not be at the initiating of an
old man in his dotage, a young man in his nonage, an atheist,
irreligious libertine, idiot, madman, hermaphrodite, nor woman."
To do this, observe, is so great a crime among Masons as to incur
the awful penalty attached to this oath. And this is Masonic
benevolence! It professes to be a saving institution, and excludes
the greater part of mankind from its benefits! The candidate
proceeds: "Furthermore do I promise and swear, that I will not
speak evil of a brother Master Mason, neither behind his back, nor
before his face." Now, observe again, to do this is to incur this
awful penalty, for this is one part of the oath. But who does not
know that Freemasons violate this part of the oath, as well as
that which relates to wronging each other, almost continually? The
candidate proceeds: "Furthermore do I promise and swear, that I
will not violate the chastity of a Master Mason's wife, sister, or
daughter, I knowing them to be such, nor suffer it to be done by
others, if in my power to prevent." But why not promise this in
respect to all women? If this oath had included all women, it
would have the appearance of justice and benevolence, but as it
is, it is only an odious partiality, and does not imply even the
semblance of virtue. The candidate proceeds: "Furthermore do I
promise and swear, that I will support the constitution of the
Grand Lodge of the State of--------, under which this lodge is
held, and conform to all the by-laws, rules, and regulations of
this or any other lodge of which I may, at any time hereafter,
become a member" Observe that to violate this part of the
obligation is to incur the awful penalty attached to this oath.
The candidate proceeds: "Furthermore do I promise and swear, that
I will obey all regular signs, summonses, or tokens given, handed,
sent, or thrown to me from the hand of a brother Master Mason, or
from the body of a just and lawfully constituted lodge of such,
provided it be within the length of my cable tow." This, indeed,
puts a rope around the neck of every offending brother. He is
under oath to answer any sign or summons given him from a brother
Master Mason, or from a lodge. If he refuses or neglects to
respond to the summons, he incurs the penalty, and is liable to
have it executed upon him. The cable tow is literally a rope of
several yards in length, but in a Master's Iodge is understood to
represent three miles. In the degrees of Knighthood the distance
is reckoned to be forty miles. This is fearful, and the responding
to such summonses has, doubtless, cost many a man his life, by
placing him in the hands of an exasperated lodge. The candidate
proceeds: "Furthermore do I promise and swear, that I will go on a
Master Mason's errand, whenever required, even should I have to go
barefoot and bareheaded, if within the length of my cable tow."
Now, failure to do this incurs the awful penalty of this
obligation. A Master Mason's errand! What errand? From the words
it would seem any errand, however trivial it may be; every errand,
however frequently, a Master Mason might wish to send another on
an errand. If it does not mean this, what does it mean? But
whatever it means a failure incurs the whole penalty. The
candidate proceeds: "Furthermore do I promise and swear, that I
will always remember a brother Master Mason when on my knees
offering up my devotions to Almighty God." But do Masons do this?
In secret, family, public, social prayer, do they do this?
Professed Christian Mason, do you do it? If not, you are guilty of
false swearing every time you omit it. What! on your knees
offering up your devotions to Almighty God, and guilty, at that
very moment, of violating a solemn oath, by neglecting to pray for
Master Masons! Remember, to fail in this respect incurs the awful
penalty attached to this obligation. Now comes that part of the
obligation upon which they lay so much stress as proving Masonry
to be a benevolent institution: "Furthermore do I promise and
swear, that I will be aiding and assisting all poor, indigent
Master Masons, their wives and orphans, wherever disposed round
the globe, as far as in my power, without injuring myself or
family materially." In another place I shall show that there is no
benevolence whatever in doing this, as every candidate pays into
the public treasury money to compose a fund for the supply of the
wants of the families of indigent Freemasons, simply upon the
principle of a mutual insurance company. At present I simply
remark that a failure to do this incurs the whole terrible penalty
of this obligation. The candidate concludes his promises by
saying: "Furthermore do I promise and swear, that if any part of
this solemn oath and obligation be omitted at this time, I will
hold myself amenable thereto, whenever informed."

Some months since I received a letter from a Master Mason who
was manifestly a conscientious man. He informed me that he had
been reading my letters in the Independent, on Freemasonry--that
his mind was so distressed, in view of his Masonic obligations and
relations, that he was wholly unable to attend to business, and
that he should become deranged, if he could not escape from these
entanglements--that he must and would renounce Freemasonry at all
hazards. When he took the oath of the Master's degree the clause
pledging him to keep a Master Mason's secrets, murder and treason
excepted, was omitted, so that he was not aware of that clause
until afterward. This clause, however, that I last quoted, bound
him fast. No wonder that this conscientious man was frightened
when he came to understand his true position. In administering
this long oath to any conscientious man, any part of it that would
shock a tender conscience may be omitted, and yet the candidate is
pledged to hold himself amenable to that part, or those parts,
that have been omitted, whenever informed of the same. This is a
trap and a snare into which many a tender conscience has been
betrayed. And is this an oath which a Christian man may take, or
any other man, without sin? Can any man administer this oath, or
take it, or be voluntarily present, aiding and abetting, and be
guiltless of awful profanity and blasphemy? I have dwelt the
longer upon this oath, because probably two-thirds of the Masons
in the United States have gone no further than this degree. Now,
is it not perfectly plain that a man who has taken this oath ought
not to be intrusted with the office of a magistrate, a sheriff,
marshal or constable? That he is not to be credited as a witness
where a Master Mason is a party? That he ought not to be allowed a
place on a jury where a Master Mason is a party? And, in short,
that he can not safely be intrusted with any office of honor or
profit, either in Church or State? Is it not plain that a Master's
Lodge, in any community, is a dangerous institution, and that the
whole country is interested in the utter suppression of such an
institution?

Let not this opinion be regarded as too severe. The fact is
that Freemasons intend to fulfill their vows, or they do not. If
Master Masons intend to do what they swear to do, is it right to
intrust them with the execution of the laws? If they do not intend
to fulfill their vows, of what avail will their oath of office be,
since they have no regard for the solemnity of an oath? In every
view of the subject it is plain that such men ought not to be
trusted. Take either horn of the dilemma, it amounts to the same
thing. I shall have more to say on this subject hereafter.

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